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Hamas welcomes UN call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

Hamas welcomed a U.N. resolution Monday calling for a ceasefire in its war against Israel, and said it was ready to negotiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"Hamas welcomes the United Nations Security Council's call today for an immediate ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip, the militant group said, adding: "We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides."

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UN Security Council for first time demands 'immediate' Gaza ceasefire, US abstains

The U.N. Security Council for the first time on Monday demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States, Israel's ally which has vetoed previous bids, abstaining.

The resolution, which demands an "immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan that leads to a "lasting" truce, went through, with all other 14 Security Council members voting yes.

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Aid groups describe 'unimaginable' situation after visiting packed Gaza hospital

Aid groups that visited a packed Gaza hospital described an “unimaginable” situation in which large open wounds were left untreated.

An emergency medical team organized by three aid groups spent two weeks carrying out surgeries and other care at the European Gaza Hospital near Khan Younis. The southern city has seen heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants since the start of the year.

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China says supports new UN Security Council draft resolution on Gaza ceasefire

China said Monday it supported a new draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council on an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, after it and Russia vetoed an earlier text proposed by the United States.

"China supports this draft resolution and commends Algeria and other Arab countries for their hard work in this regard," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, adding: "We hope the Security Council will pass it as soon as possible and send a strong signal for the cessation of hostilities."

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Hamas official speaks of big gaps with Israel in truce talks

Deep differences exist between Hamas and Israel in negotiations for a Gaza truce, an official from the Palestinian militant group with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Saturday.

The difficult talks over a ceasefire and possible exchange of hostages and prisoners resumed in Doha this week, with Israel's spy chief joining Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators.

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Israel defense chief to head to US for Gaza talks

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will leave Sunday for talks in the United States, the government said, amid growing tensions between the allies over the war in Gaza.

Gallant will meet with U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan "and additional senior officials", a statement said.

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UN chief, at Gaza crossing, urges end to 'nightmare' of war

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres, on a visit to the doorstep of Gaza, appealed for a ceasefire to allow in more aid, saying the world has "seen enough" horrors in the Israel-Hamas war.

As Israeli forces pressed on with a multi-day raid on the territory's biggest hospital, Hamas officials reported 19 deaths at an aid distribution point on the outskirts of Gaza City.

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US jets strike storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen

U.S. fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late Friday, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.

Strikes and explosions were seen and heard in Sanaa on Friday night, according to witnesses and videos, some circulating on social media. Footage showed explosions and smoke rising over the Houthi-controlled capital.

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Security Council set to vote on resolution demanding a Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza

The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a resolution demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but the United States warned the measure could hurt negotiations to halt Israeli-Hamas hostilities.

The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, is backed by Russia and China, who vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that supported "an immediate and sustained cease-fire" in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

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Russia, China veto Washington's Security Council bid on Gaza 'ceasefire'

Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-backed draft resolution at the Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical spectacle" that does not pressure Israel.

Russia and China both exercised their veto against the resolution, which would have spoken of the "imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" and condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.

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